Lifting jack device



1946- T. w. MURRAY 2,413,242

LIFTING JACK DEVICE I Filed May 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 16 17 I I J6 7101210.: fill/away 45- T. w. MURRAY LIFTING JACK DEVICE Filed May 22, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 24,1946

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to lifting devices.

More particularly, the invention is concerned with lifting adapters for jacks of the type disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 474,146, filed January 30, 1943, now Patent No. 2,335,692, dated Nov. 30, 1943.

As disclosed in the above referred to application, a jack is provided for supporting airplane wings in the process of removing same from and securing same to the fusela e of a plane as well as serving in the loading of the wings onto trucks or the like for transportation thereof.

A primary object of the present invention is the provision of adapters in operative association with such jacks for lifting airplane fuselages preparatory to the loading thereof onto trucks or trailers for transportation to and from any desired destination.

A further object of the invention is the provision of portable lifting jacks adapted for removable connection therewith of adapters for engagement with opposite sides of an airplane fuselage or other bodies whereby upon operation of the jacks such fuselage or other bodies may readily be lifted for entry of a truck or trailer beneath same and whereupon the fuselage or bodies may then be lowered into engagement with such truck or trailer.

With these general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of the present disclosure,

Figure 1 is a front end elevational view of an airplane fuselage, represented more or less diagrammatically, and disclosing a pair of the novel lifting devices in elevation operatively engaged therewith.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 disclosing a modified embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view corresponding to the embodiment of Fig. 1 and disclosing the manner in which a fuselage is lifted and tipped for entry of a transportation truck therebeneath.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of a further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the structure disclosed in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a left end elevational View of the structure disclosed in Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view corresponding generally to Fig. 4 and disclosing a still further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a face view of the jack supported plate in Fig. 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and

2 first to Figs. 1 and 3, the letter J designates a jack and A an adapter in operative association with the jack. The jack is preferably constructed as disclosed in the. above referred to application and generally comprises a base l0 supported on swivelly mounted wheels or casters ll.

Rigidly supported on the base [0 by means of braces 12 is a tubular column [3 within which is telescoped a column M. The column I4 is ver tically movable within the column l3 by means of cooperating screw, pinion, and gear means operable by a handle IS in the manner fully disclosed in said application.

The column I4 at the upper end thereof is provided with a right angular cylindrical extension IS with which is removably engaged a sleeve ll of an adapter comprising in addition to the sleeve braces 18 corresponding ends of which are rigid with the sleeve and the free ends of which are adapted for connection with the wing attachment fixtures l9 and the strut attachment fixture 20.

As indicated in Fig. 1, a pair of the lifting devices are utilized in lifting the fuselage F and the procedure of such lifting preparatory to loading thereof onto a truck or trailer is as follows:

The two jacks and associated adapters are rolled up to the fuselage on opposite sides thereof, the braces l8 are then suitably engaged with the wing and strut attachment fixtures l9 and 2B. The jacks are then manipulated through the handles I5 to lift the fuselage off the ground.

.As is indicated in Fig. 3 the attachment fixtures l9 and 20 are usually near the fore and aft center of gravity of the fuselage in view of which the tail of the fuselage can be easily lifted by hand, rotation of the sleeves l l on the extensions l6 permitting such movement.

With the fuselage lifted and the tail raised from the dotted line to the solid line position of Fig. 3, a truck or trailer T can readily be pushed beneath the fuselage, after which the jacks are slightly lowered until the fuselage rests on such truck or trailer. Inasmuch as the jacks are portable, the lifted fuselage may be rolled over the truck instead of pushing the truck beneath same.

A modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 2, wherein an overhead frame 22 is provided and which is of generally inverted U- shape embodying a top horizontal reach 23 and vertical legs 24 having right angular extensions 25 at their lower ends.

The frame may be removably secured to the columns [4 of a pair of the jacks J by any suitable means, such as by split sleeves 26 carried by the legs 24 and clamped to the columns I4 and split sleeves or clamp devices 21 engaging the contacting extensions l6 and 25.

The fuselage F is engaged by this modified The modified embodiment of the adapter A according to Figs. 4, and 6 comprises a jackengaging member 30 which, as shown in Fig. '6,

is inverted U-shape and has the legs thereof ad- J'acent their free ends secured to a channel member 3! as by means of a bolt 32.

The member 30 is provided intermediate its legs with a plurality of arched bands 33 which, together with the arched bight of member 30, provide vertically spaced seats for the jacket extension !6 for vertical adjustment of the adapters relative to the jack columns I 4.

Supporting arms 34 and 35 extend outwardly from member 3! in the same vertical plane and with their adjacent ends disposed within the member 3!. The arm 34 is fixed in member 3! to extend horizontally, and the arm 35 is pivoted at 36 within the member 3|. The arms 34 and 35 at their free ends are provided with opposed plates 3'! apertured as at 38 for receiving bolts to attach the arms to the fuselage F.

A brace 39 extends laterally of the plane of arms 34 and 35 and has one end thereof threadedly engaged with a rod 40 having its free end secured between lugs 4! on member 3!. The free end of brace 39 is apertured at 42 for receiving a bolt for attachment to the fuselage.

The brace 39 is adapted for connection with a fuselage fitting which must not be strained in a fore and aft direction and, in order to avoid such, an adjustable connection is provided between arm 34 and brace 39. This connection comprises a bar 43 connected to brace 39 at 44, and at its opposite end having a screw-threaded connection with a rod 45, the rod 45 being connected at 45 to the arm 34.

The arms 34 and 35 are adapted to bear the weight of the fuselage and brace 39 maintains the arms substantially normal to the wall of the fuselage.

By the provision of the arched bands 33 as well as the bight of member 30 the adapters A may be vertically adjusted to suit any condition prior to operation of the jacks, and such arched bands permit rotation of the adapters relative'to the jacks, as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 3.

By the provision of the adjusting rods 49 and 45 the brace 39 and connector between same and the arm 34 may be readily adjusted to'suitvarying conditions; In the embodiment of Figs. '7 and 8 the member 39 is replaced by a plate 48 having a plurality of apertures 49 corresponding in number to the arcuate seats in member 36. The jack extension !6 in this embodiment is provided with a bolt 53 threaded into the endthereof for engagement within any one of the apertures 49. The plate may be attached to member 3! by the bolt 32 extending through the loop 5! in the Plate.

While the lifting devices herein disclosed are particularl adapted forloading and unloading fuselages onto and from trucks ortrailers they are not limited thereto but will find'ready application in other uses, as, for example, in moving fuselages around hangars, factoriesetc due-particularly to the mobility of the jacks on .their casters or wheels.

Furthermore, the use of the improved lifting devices is not confined to fuselages, butmay find 4 ready application in lifting and transporting various other forms of bodies.

While I have disclosed certain specific embodiments of the invention such are to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined in the subjoined claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by U. S. Letters-Patent is:

1. A lifting device for use with a jack having a vertical column terminating in a horizontal extension, comprising a member having a plurality of seats for selective rotatable engagement with said extension, a pair of fuselage-engaging arms extending laterally of said member, and a brace extending from said member and adjustably connected to one of said arms.

2. A lifting adapter for use with a jack having a vertical column terminating in a horizontal extension; comprisihg a member for rotatable engagement with the extension, a pair of arms in a vertical plane extending laterally of said member and having means at their free ends for connection with an object to be lifted, a brace extending from said member at an angle to said plane and having means at its free end for connection with an object to be lifted, and an adjustable connection between said brace and one of said arms.

3. A structure according to claim 2, wherein said member comprises an inverted U-shaped part having a plurality of arched bands secured between the legs thereof in vertically spaced relation.

4. A lifting adapter for use with a jack having a vertical column terminating in a horizontal extension; comprising a channel member, an inverted U-shaped member having the legs thereof adjacent their ends connected to the opposed walls of the channel member, said U-shaped member having means for rotatable engagement with said horizontal extension, a pair of arms having adjacent ends thereof attached to said channel member between opposed walls thereof, said arms projecting from said channel member in a vertical plane and having apertures in their free ends for receiving securing devices, and a brace arm having one end thereof connected to said channel member and having an aperture in its other end for receiving a securing device, the

free ends of all said arms being substantially in a vertical plane for disposition adjacent the side of an object to be lifted.

5. A lifting adapter according to claim 4,

-. wherein said rotatable engagement means com- '1 of arms and between the vertical positions thereof,

7. A lifting adapter according to claim 4, wherein said brace arm is adjustably connected to said channel member, and an adjustable connection between said brace arm and one of said pair of arms.

THOMAS W. MURRAY. 

